But the Japanese rugby season never started due to the coronavirus pandemic - so technically, there is no reason why he can't come back to the 13-man code.

NRL.comreported on Saturday night that the Raiders were expected to announce the signing of Rapana on a short-term deal for the remainder of 2020.

No official announcement has been made by the club yet.

According to senior reporter James Hooper on Triple M, the former Kiwi international looks like he will definitely be back this year - but are the Raiders the only ones interested?

“The Bulldogs are having a look at Josh Reynolds...he has been at the Tigers for the last couple of years but has had some injury issues and hasn’t been able to get on the field that much," he said.

"If that were to happen, I think the Tigers could possibly have a look at Jordan Rapana. He went to Japanese rugby, but unfortunately wasn’t able to get on the field as a result of the coronavirus that shut down global sport.

"That would mean BJ Leilua and Jordan Rapana – who had such a successful combination at the Green Machine – could potentially reunite at Concord."

After signing Leilua on a three-year deal, Tigers fans would be salivating at the possibility of having the duo known as 'Leipana' at their disposal in 2020, as they look to break an excrutiatingly long finals drought.

But the Raiders will also be keen on the servies of Rapana, and Hooper believes if he wishes to come back to the NRL, it will be with his former club.

“The other X-factor in all of that scenario is that I think you will find the Raiders are also having a big look at Jordan Rapana as well," he said.

"They would really like to get him back there, he would value add. Rapana of course played Test football for the Kiwis, and Madge (Michael Maguire) is the Kiwi coach as well as the Tigers coach so they have probably had a couple of conversations there.

"But further to that, the Green Machine will probably make a big play for Jordan and I reckon in all likelihood, he may land there."